Time flew by, and the next day arrived.
Xu Xiaoyou sat in her office. In the communication curtain before her, Tao Shier appeared to be deep in thought, her arms crossed over her chest.
"I can't help but feel that the waves we've stirred aren't as big as I imagined," Tao Shier said. "It's strange. In an artist's career, shouldn't this sort of thing be equivalent to a death sentence?"
Watching the topic regarding Tang Xin that was still trending at number one on the curtain, Xu Xiaoyou simply took a sip of hot tea and exhaled softly, not appearing particularly surprised.
Discussion about Lin Fan and moon sugar had gained some traction the previous night, but by this morning, those videos had been wiped clean from the Note platform. Even personal media accounts with a modest following had issued collective statements, ceasing to publish anything related to the matter.
"The city's major radio stations have also uniformly stopped broadcasting any news related to Lin Fan. Starlight Station No. 4 is even running advertisements for moon sugar, claiming it's a health product suitable for all ages, that long-term consumption can boost immunity and resistance, and even help with focus and concentration at work?"
Tao Shier’s expression grew stranger as she spoke. "Even an opera wouldn't dare to be this absurd in its artistic expression, would it?"
"It’s not just the city’s radio stations." Xu Xiaoyou scanned the virtual light screens before her, where countless streams of information scrolled rapidly across the curtain.
"Since three o'clock this morning, a large number of 'science outreach videos' about moon sugar have flooded the platform. They're all newly registered marketing accounts, spouting some nonsense about the origins of moon sugar before listing its supposed benefits."
"It's exactly the same rhetoric used when moon sugar was first introduced to the Universe. Capital truly will say anything for the sake of profit."
Tao Shier pondered for a moment before saying, "Most of the people behind the city's radio stations are members of the CAR. For them to remain silent, the influence of the boss behind Rongsen Media must be no lower than mine as a major investor."
"I called them a few minutes ago. Their unified response was a hope that I wouldn't make things difficult for them, saying the situation is out of their hands."
"If I insist on going against that boss, I'm afraid they might still favor me eventually."
"Just get straight to the point; there's no need for pleasantries," Xu Xiaoyou said. "Give it a rest, Miss Tao. You can barely hide the smirk on your face."
The girl’s deep eyes lit up, her smile forming two crescent moons.
Tao Shier cleared her throat twice and spread her hands. "I can handle it, but I’ll offend a lot of people. You’ll owe me a massive favor. Not only will you have to repay it, but you’ll also have to join our Dawn Society."
Xu Xiaoyou knew it. At this moment, the girl’s face bore the exact same expression as Aivmey and Jian Liu—like a clever little fox, luring someone into a trap step by step, only to jump out and dangle an irresistible temptation to hook them.
"Didn't you say your help was based on the position of the Tree of Eternal Life?" Xu Xiaoyou said helplessly.
"Tree of Eternal Life? What organization is that?" Tao Shier pressed a finger to her cheek, slowly looking toward the upper right, before squinting her crescent eyes and letting out a long, "Oh~"
"You mean those old fogeys I hypnotized into thinking I was one of them?" Tao Shier wagged her finger mysteriously. "No, no, no. I’m so young and beautiful; why would I be part of a bunch of decrepit old-timers like them?"
"So is there some reason it has to be me? Everyone is, subtly or overtly, hoping I’ll join your clubs," Xu Xiaoyou said.
At that, Tao Shier's gaze became deep and serene. She elegantly lifted her skirt in a mock curtsey, and after a long silence, she smiled slightly.
"I don't know."
"Since things have reached this point, Miss Xu, it would be quite impolite not to join our Dawn Society. Besides us, who else can help you now?"
"I'll find my own way." Xu Xiaoyou remained expressionless, preparing to disconnect the communication curtain.
Tao Shier froze for a moment. The camera angle on the curtain pulled back, and Xu Xiaoyou saw the girl running toward her in a scramble, tripping over her bed.
"I’m very rich, Miss Xu! I am the Queen of Diamonds, the queen of wealth! If you’re willing to join the Dawn Society, I’m willing to provide you with funding!"
"Don't hang up—"
The communication was cut.
Xu Xiaoyou sat in her chair, propping up her forehead with one hand. Others couldn't be relied upon at critical moments—though, of course, she hadn't planned on relying on anyone else to begin with.
[: I was wondering why Little Cauliflower's body was always twitching on stage before. I thought your idol just had a 'unique personality,' turns out he was just high.]
[: Artists use moon sugar for inspiration when they're creating, okay? It's not that big a deal. Compared to that, the Starry Daughter is clearly much worse.]
[: Exactly. An underground idol, heh. Who knows how many times she's been 'touched' by others.]
A coin flipped between her fingers. She looked at the curtain before her, her face showing no surprise at being calculated against.
If anything, everything was currently progressing exactly according to her expectations.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, in the King's District.
On the black-and-white checkered Chessboard Stage, facing the accusations from the audience that threatened to drown her, the blue-haired girl in the white dress on stage looked somewhat lost.
"I really don't know where she gets the nerve to hold a concert."
"Exactly. Who is she trying to fool with that pure look? As if everyone doesn't know about her past."
"It’s depressing just looking at her. Hurry up and change to the next person."
Her clenched fists slowly lowered. Just as Tang Xin was about to say something, someone threw a black trash bag at the stage. Various metal cans, plastic bottles, and even more scraps of garbage scattered through the air, clattering as they struck her. Tang Xin’s white dress was instantly dirtied, large stains appearing on the pristine fabric.
"Get lost!"
"Get off the stage! Get off the stage!"
As if a powder keg had been ignited, the audience members below grew increasingly agitated, hurling objects toward the stage. Many of the items were sharp. As they threw, they vented their malice toward the girl on stage.
Tang Xin’s forearms were scratched as she tried to shield herself. She was forced to cast a water arts ritual to protect herself, standing on stage as the target of everyone’s scorn, her eyes trembling faintly.
"It's not like that..."
"I didn't..."
But at a time like this, her voice could be heard by no one, and no one cared what she had to say. People were simply venting their frustrations and ill will, and her weak voice was quickly swallowed by the rising tide of the crowd's roar.
Soon, staff members came out to escort her off the stage and stepped forward to maintain order among the audience.
Meanwhile, at a banquet.
A blonde girl was dancing a social dance with a noblewoman. As the grand classical tune came to an end, Xu Xiaoyou—dressed in a black-and-white flat-collar evening suit with pure white gloves adorned with lace—straightened her posture. She placed a hand over her heart, a few strands of hair curving near her gentle eyes. The well-tailored suit accentuated her slender proportions, and her low, golden ponytail looked understated yet magnificent.
She bowed her head in greeting, gently taking the woman’s right hand and leaning down to give a symbolic kiss to the back of her fingers.
"So practiced. I almost thought you were a handsome young lad from some noble family," the noblewoman said, smiling with her lips pursed.
Xu Xiaoyou responded politely, "It is my honor to dance with you, my lady."
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